Flashlight



O. T. WOOD Feb. 24; 1942,

FLASHLIGHT Filed Dec. 21, 1957 fili.

F'IG.4.

lNvENTOR f oma/ LE 7744/000 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 244, 1942 f* -Orville T.

Wood, Clinton, Mass., assignor to Blake Manufacturing Corporation, Clinton, Mass., a

corporation of lVlLassachusetts` i Application December 21, 1937, Serial No. 180,949 12 Claims. (Cl. 24m-10.6)

This invention relates to iiashlights and electric hand lanterns of the kind in which an incandescent lamp is illuminated by one or more dry cells in a circuit therewith controlled by a manually actuated circuit closer. More particularly the invention relates to ashlights and lanterns in which the light source has a fixed position with respect to the focus of a reflector.

`One object of the invention is to provide a lamp support particularly adapted to receive and position a lamp whereof the base is provided With'a positioning flange. Accordingly, the lamp support is formed, say, axially of the reiiector, with a bore or aperture, the diameter of which is preferablyv sufficient to pass the bulb `of an incandescent lamp therethrough. A portion of said bore is of greater diameter, conveniently on the sidelopposite to the reflector, to receive a peripheral flange on the lamp base and to denne a shoulder with which the flange on the lamp base may engage. l

Another object of the invention is to removably retainthe lamp in position. In accordance with the invention, telescoping members are provided one of which may, if-desir-ed, be carried with the apertured lamp support portion while the othermember may removably enclose the lamp base.

The invention also seeks an improved lamp support by which a circuit, including the circuit closer and the respective terminals of the lamp and battery, may be completed. To this end, one of the telescoping members may be included inthat portion of the circuit including, say,` the lamp base shell while another telescoping mem- I f ber maybe utilized tosupport circuit elements in electrical connection with the central lamp terminal. It is also an object of the invention to protect the fragile lamp iilamentagainst damage, as by cushioning the lamp in its proper focal position against shock. Accordingly yielding means, which may take the form of a coil spring, urges the vange onthe lamp base against the shoulder lin the lamp support. maybe utilized as a part fof the electrical circuit. A further object of the invention is to prevent displacement of the incandescent filament from the exact focal point of the reflector. In carrying this aspect of the invention into eleot, contact means for the central terminal of the lamp is so` constructed as to exert a uniform pressure at Athe base of the -lamp, and, desirably, along the axis of the lamp base, butin spaced relation thereto, to counteract any tendency of the lamp If desired, such coil spring 4to tip in thefso'cket yformed by' the shouldered aperture. Also, if desired, uniform and yielding pressure may be exerted, for the same purpose, on the flange ofthelamp base to retain all parts thereof in contact` with the shoulder in the lamp support.

The invention further seeks a construction by which the lamp socket assembly may be assembled as a unit. To this end, one of the telescoping members, aforesaid, may be integral withor otherwise united with the reflector for the lashlig-ht' or hand lantern of this invention'.

Upon exhaustion, dry cells often corrodeand swell-so that they stick in the tubular flashlight casing. It is then desirable to remove the closures at one or both ends of the casing in order to withdraw or push out the exhausted dry cells. In anotheraspect of the invention, therefore, the lens,` reflector and lamp supportassembly are desirably capable of removal as a unit to expose one end ofthe Casing'.

Yet another object of theinvention isa flashlighthaving the character sought by this invention, in which the lens, reector and lampsupport assembly, asa unit, are removably secured to the flashlight casing by cooperating threads in the coacting parts, which threads are preferably -concealed from view.

y Still another object off the invention lis a flashlightV having a lamp support assembly of the characterdescribed in which a circuit closer contact strip is slidable into electrical connection with-the lam-p base/enclosure to complete-the electrical circuit.

The invention also seeks aflashlightorhand lantern construction which is practicalfrom the standpoint of ease and cheapness of manufacture and practicability and durability in use. These and other objects ofthe invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating one embodiment by which the invention may be realized and in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in longitudinal section, taken Aon a rdiameter and showing the upper end of a flashlight embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, `similar to Fligure `1,' but showing a-modied lamp positioning Contact element;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary-transverse sectional View taken in the plane indicated Aby the line 3.3

of Figure 1 and looking inthe direction of the arrows view taken in the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the shape of the coacting parts of the reflector and lamp base enclosure before the parts are permanently secured together.

While the invention has been shown as applied to a flashlight it will be obvious, as lthe description proceeds, that, in many of its aspects, it is applicable in any situation where an incandescent lamp is to be centered at a fixed focus with respect to a reflector.

In the illustrated embodiment, the end of a tubular flashlight casing I9 is of progressively 'increasing diameter, as at I2, and at its extremity is outwardly offset as a cylindrically shaped open end portion I4. Secured inwardly of the end portion I4 is a portion I5 formed with threads I1 which are shown as extending beyond the rim of the end portion I4 in spaced relation inwardly thereof.

Of the same shape and diameter as the end portion I4 is a lens ring or bezel |8 formed with an inwardly directed portion or curved flange 26 adapted to overlie and retain a lens 22 on the reflector 24. To the inner surface of the lens ring I8 there is secured a threaded member 2| adapted to llt inside the end portion I4 and to have threaded engagement with the threaded part I1. The free edge 23 of the threaded portion 2| is of plane cylindrical construction and is closely positioned with respect to the bezel ring but conveniently projects therebeyond to lie within the'portion I4. Thereby is the edge of the bezel guided and both' theparts I8 and I4 are held in smooth abutting relation. Conveniently, but not necessarily, the periphery of the lens -22 is bevelled, as at 26, so that, as the lens ring I8 is screwed onto'the casing end, the edge of the lens ring flange will ilnd a seat on the lens surface and firmly hold the lens in place. The edge of bezel I8, 20 will, when in place, abut theend of the offset portion |4 to give a smooth and unbroken contour, hiding the .threads and with the joint scarcely visible.

The outer edge 21 of the reflector 24 is outwardly directed, as a peripheral flange, adapted to rest on an inturnededge 29 formed on the rim of the threaded ring I1 of the casing. In the illustrated embodiment, the reflector, being of metal, is conductive and is insulated from the casing, which' conveniently forms pari; of the electrical circuit, by a channel shaped member 3| of insulating material which embraces the flange 21 and insulates the conductive reflector 24 from the conductive casing part. Due to the character of the insulation 3|, the yielding nonme'tallic material thereof may fill the space about the periphery of the flange 21 and the inner surface of the lens ring structure I8, 20, 2| so that the reflector24 may be frictionally held or llt snugly in the lens ring and be removed and replaced therewith, on the head portion I4, I1, as a unit.

In the axis of the reflector 24, there is formed an aperture 33, preferably circular, and of a diameter such as to permit the passage of the bulb 35 of an incandescent lamp. On the outer surface of .the reflector 24, there is preferably formed a cylindrical flange 36 concentric with the aperture 33 and defining a passage 31 but of an inner diameter greater than the `inner diameter of the aperture 33 so as to define a down- .wardly or rearwardlyk facing shoulder 38. Thus the aperture 33 and the interior of the flange 36 define a bore for the reception of the lamp.

The reflector 24 is also formed with a plurality of bosses 46, three in the illustrated 'embodiment, which are conveniently formed on the outer sunface of the flange 36. These bosses 46 have a reduced and preferably cylindrical end 41 (Figure 4) extending below flange 36 and deflning shoulders 53 and indented centrally thereof, as at 48, if desired, to center a spinning tool. A cup shaped member 50, preferably of metal for convenience of manufacture, is formed in its bottom with a central aperture 49 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore 31. In the bottom of the male cup member 50 are formed a plurality of apertures 5| equal in number to the bosses 46 and of the same size as the reduced ends 41. The Wall 52 of the cup 59 is formed with threads. This cup 50 is telescoped over the flange 36 with the ends 41 passing through' the apertures 5| and the rim of the apertures 5I abutting the shoulders 53. The ends 41 of the bosses the then spun over or otherwise upset, securing the threaded cup to the reflector 24.

An incandescent lamp applicable with the lamp support of this invention is provided with a base 39 having a peripheral flange 40 near the globe thereof. The shell of the base 39 and .the flange 40 are conductive and `constitute one terminal of the lamp. The center or end terminal 4| of the lamp is insulated from shell 39 as will be understood and is somewhat conical or in the form of a rounded tip. The flange 49 may, if desired, be formed with three equally spaced convolutions or indentations 42 forming three high spots Iaffording a three point support or con# tact. These three upwardly pressed points` 42 can be closely controlled in a plane so that the relation of ithe lamp and shoulder 38 may be constant and exact. The globe 35 of the lamp is passed through the bore 33, 31 until the flange 40 on the base 39 thereof or the three point contact 48 thereon engages the shoulder 38. The shoulder is so positioned with respect to th'e reflector that the filament 44 is at the focus of the reflector. The lamp is held in position by a cooperating female cup shaped member 55 telescoping over the upper or cylindrical portion of the male member 50 and formed in its upper wall portion with threads 56 to removably engage the threads 52 on the male member 59.

The lower portion, as viewed, of the female cup 55 is constructed, as at 51, into frusto-conical shape and intermediate the cylindrical wall 55 and the tapering portion 51 a peripheral groove 59 is conveniently formed by outwardly pressing a portion of the wall in which is seated the lower end 63 of a coil spring 6|. The outwardly pressed wall portion forms an annular bead 60. This coil spring is of reduced diameter at its other end, as at 65, and of a length to engage the flange 46 of the lamp base and yieldingly urge it to its seat on the shoulder 38. As shown, several turns 63 of the spring, at its lower end, are of substantially the same diameter so as to fit Within and in expanding have adequate bearing in-the substantially rectangular groove 59. Several turns 55 at the upper end of the spring are of the same but of a lesser diameter to encircle the lamp base and ilt within or seat in the bore 31. The spring thus exerts a substantially uniform pressure throughout the extent Aof the flange to hold the ange againstl the shoulder and prevent tipping is apertured centrally the bottom of washer 68.

,the terminal tip 4I of the 'thrust contact member carried with Ais turned in over valways in the axis ving spring between the casing and the bottom of the battery, as is comofthe lampwhich would move the filamentaway from the focal pointof the reector.

The base 58 of the thereof, as at 66, and carriesabove and below, insulating washers 81 and 88. 'Ihese washers 61 and 68 are apertured, as at 58, 18, to register with the aperture in the bottomv of the base 58, but these apertures are oflesser diameter than the aperture 58 so that a rivet or` eyelet' 1| clamping the three parts together will be held out of contact with the conductivebottom. This rivetserves as a contact with the central terminal 11 of a battery.: To hold washer 88 and extend the conductive area, a metallic washer 12 is held by the rivet against The rivet 1l secures a resilient contact 1li-15 within the cup adapted tov complete the circuit with the central terminal 4I of the lamp. Conveniently, the upper washer 81 rests in a cylindrical portion 13 formed in the bottom of the female telescoping member 55, among other reasons, for convenience in assembly. y

As shown in Figure 1, the contact member 14-15 is U-shaped. One arm 14 thereof is apertured and secured by the rivet 1l abovethe insulation and out of electrical contact with the female telescoping member 55. The other arm 15 of the U-shaped contact may be yformed with a recess or depression 18 to receive and `center lamp thereby exerting an axial thrust thereon to overcome tendency -of the lamp to tip and move the filament out of the focal point of the lens.

In Figure 2, there is illustrated a modified end telescoping member. In this modification, a cup shaped conductive member 18V is clamped by the head of rivet 1I against the upper face of the upper insulating washer 61. The rim of the cup contact member 'iQ- 85 to hold it against displacement, The coils of this spring contact decrease progressively in diameter until the diameter ofthe uppermost coil 88 is substantially just sumcient to encircle the central rounded tip terminal of the lamp, the spring being then partially compressed. This type of contact is particularly adapted to exert a uniform pressure at the base of the lamp and directly along the axis of the lamp so that there is no tendency forthe lamp to be tipped andthe axis of the lamp is of the reflector.

It is, of course, to be understood that, in the illustrated embodiment, the casing is conceived to form part of the circuit between the zinc cup terminal of the battery 8| and the circuit closer although it will be obvious that a conductive strip, insulated from the casing, may complete the circuit to the circuit closer. While it has been indicated hereinbefore that the end of the casing opposite to that shown may be capable of being opened, as by a removable end cap, such end may be permanently closed. In either event, it will be desirable to provide a battery positionlast named end of the mon, to yieldingly urge against the Contactr 1 I. Any desired and known form of circuit closer may be used with this invention. In Figure 1, va sliding type of contact strip 82 is illustrated adapted to be reciprocated, as by a thumb piece, not shown, on the side ofthe flashlight casing the battery terminal 11 and. electrically Connected in.v any. convenient female telescoping cup y55` the, female 40' the lower coil 19 of a coil spring v this connection,

manner with the zinc cup terminal of the battery 8l. At its upper end, as viewed, the metallic conductive strip 82 is bent toward the female telescoping lamp support member 55 and formed with a curved end 84 whereby, by virtue of its inherent resiliency, it yieldingly engages the lamp support member 55 with a wiping Contact tending to keepthe coacting surfaces clean. In moving from its off position below the lamp support, shown in dotted lines, the curved end 84 facilitates the movementfinto and out of circuit making position and enables it to ride up onto the lamp support member 55 without Adiniculty. In

it will be noted that the outwardly pressed rib 88 over which the curved end passes and above which it rests assists in retaining the contact end 82 in closed circuit position.

The resilient contact strip 82, 84, shown in full lines in Figure 1, is equally illustrative of a fixed or stationary contact strip, suitably insulated by the insulation 83 and electrically connected with a suitable circuit closer on the flashlight casing l0. The resilient end 84 of such a contact strip, when on a stationary strip, conductive housing 55, 51 with at all times, but yields to permit the withdrawal and insertion of the reflector assembly.

It will thus be seen that a flashlight construction has been provided in which the lamp may be assembled with the reector as a unit and thereafter the lens ring and lens assembled with the reflector and the entire assembly may be removed and replaced as a unit with facility.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the composition, configuration and disposition of the component elements going to make up the invention as a whole as appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof,

Aa shoulder about the aperture, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral ange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising ing a cup shaped conductive male member carried with the reflector, a cup shaped conductive female member removably secured thereto, said yielding means comprising a coil spring whereof lowermost coils of greater diameter are seated in a groove formed in the female member and whereof the upper coils thereof of lesser diameter engage the flange on the lamp base and a central battery contact member carried with the female member but insulated therefrom.

2. In a` ashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an` aperture axially thereof, a shoulder about the aperture, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement` with the shoulder, conductive yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding `means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member carried with the reflector, a cup shaped conductive female member removably secured thereto comprising a cylindrical portion and a tapering portion therebelow and a bead between the.cylindri cal `portion and the, .tapering `portion yieldingly engages the to make contact theretherebelow and defining an interior annular groove, said yielding means comprising a coil spring seated in the groove in the female member and whereof the upper coils thereof engage the flange on the lamp base, a central battery contact member carried with the female member but insulated therefrom and a reciprocable oircuit closure having an end portion offset toward the female member to engage the tapering portion and ride over the bead to be retained thereby.

3. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a cylindrical flange depending from the reflector concentric with the aperture but in spaced relation thereto to define a shoulder, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup-shaped conductive male member secured to the cylindrical flange and formed in its bottom with an aperture in register with the cylindrical flange, .a cup shaped female member telescoped over the male member and removably secured thereto, said yielding means being conductive and carried with the female member', a battery terminal Contact carried with the female member but insulated therefrom and conductive means between the contact and the central lamp terminal.

4. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a cylindrical flange of a diameter greater than the aperture and depending from the reflector concentric with the aperture but in spaced relation' thereto to define a shoulder, a lamp of a diameter less than the aperture having a base and a peripheral flange of a diameter greater than the aperture on the base in engagement with the shoulder on the opposite side thereof from the reflector, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member secured to the cylindrical flange and formed in its bottom with an aperture scoped over the male member and removably secured thereto, said female member being formed with a cylindrical upper portion and a frusto-conical lower portion and a peripheral groove between said portions, said lyielding means comprising a coil spring, the lower coils of which are seated in the groove and the upper coils engage the lamp, a battery terminal contact carried with the female member but insulated therefrom and conductive means between the contact and the central lamp terminal.

5. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a shoulder about the aperture, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member carried with the reflector, a cup shaped conductive female member removably secured thereto, said yielding means comprising a coil spring seated in the female member and whereof the upper coils thereof engage the flange on the lamp base, a central battery contact member carried with the female member but insulated therefrom and comprising a U-shaped resilient contact member one arm of which is secured to the battery conamarre tact member and the other arm is formed with a depression to receive the central terminal of the lamp.

6. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a shoulder about the aperture, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member carried with the reflector, a cup shaped conductive female member removably secured thereto, said yielding means comprising a coil spring seated in the female member and whereof the upper coils thereof engage the flange on the lamp base, a central battery contact member carried with the female member but insulated therefrom and comprising a coil spring secured to the battery contact member and whereof the uppermost coil encircles the central terminal of the lamp.

7. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a cylindrical flange depending from the reflector concentric with the aperture but in spaced relation thereto'to define a shoulder, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral ange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member secured to the cylindrical flange and formed in its bottom with an aperture in register with the cylindrical flange, a cup shaped female member telescoped over the male member and removably secured thereto, said female member being formed with a cylindrical upper portion and a frusto-conical lower portion and a peripheral groove between said portions, said yielding means comprising a coil spring, the lower coils of which are seated in the groove and the upper coils are seated within the cylindrical flange, a battery terminal contact carried with the female member but insulated therefrom, conductive means between the contact and the central lamp terminal and comprising a U-shaped resilient Contact member one arm of which is secured to the battery contact member and the other arm is formed with a depression to receive the central terminal of the lamp.

8. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a cylindrical flange depending from the reflector concentric with the aperture but in spaced relation thereto to define a shoulder, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member secured to the cylindrical flange and formed in its bottom with an aperture in register with the cylindrical flange, a cup shaped female member telescoped over the male member and removably secured thereto, said female member being formed with a cylindrical upper portion and a frusto-conical lower portion and a peripheral groove between said portions, said yielding means comprising a coil spring, the lower coils of which are seated in the groove and the upper coils are seated within the cylindrical flange, a battery terminal contact carried with the female member but insulated therefrom, conductive means between the contact and the central lamp terminal and comprising a coil spring secured to the battery Contact member and Whereof the uppermostl coil encircles the central terminal of the lamp.

9. In a flashlight, the combination With a reilector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a shoulder about the aperture, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement with the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder,

` means supporting the yielding means comprising named Washer, a yielding lamp contact above the.

first named insulating Washer and a rivet secured to the lamp contact and clamping the Washers to the bottom of the Ifemale member.

l0. In a flashlight, the combination with a re ilector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a cylindrical flange depending from the reflector concentric with the aperture but in spaced relation thereto to define a shoulder, said flange being `formed with spaced bosses, a lamp in the aperture having a base and peripheral flange on the base in engagement With the shoulder, yielding means urging the flange against the shoulder, means supporting the yielding means comprising a cup shaped conductive male member secured to the cylindrical flange and formed in its bottom with an aperture in register With the cylindrical flange, and spaced apertures through Which the bosses extend and are upset to secure the cup shaped male member to the reflector, a cup shaped female member telescoped over the male member and removably secured thereto, said yielding means being conductive and carried with the femalemember, a battery terminal contact carried With the female member but insulated therefrom and conductive means between the contact and the central lamp terminal.

l1. In a flashlight, the combination with a reflector formed with an aperture axially thereof, a lamp, means supporting the lamp comprising a cup-shaped female member formed with a frusto-conical endr and a peripheral bead, a battery terminal contact carried with the female member but insulated therefrom, and a circuit closer comprising a resilient contact strip formed With a curved end adapted to ride up the frusto-conical surface and over the bead to be retained in electrical contact with the female member.

12. In a flashlight, the combination with a reilector formed With an aperture axially thereof, a lamp in the aperture, means enclosing the base of the lamp comprising a tubular conductive member carried with the reliector, a cup-shaped conductive coacting member formed with a bead and removably secured thereto, means to electrically connect a conductive member with a lamp terminal1 a central battery contact member carried with the member formed with the bead but insulated therefrom, means to electrically connect said contact member with the other lamp terminal, a' circuit closer comprising a resilient reciprocable contact strip formed with a curved end and movable from a position spaced from the enclosing means to a position in contact with the member formed with the bead above the bead, said bead retarding accidental movement of the strip olf the last mentioned member ORVILLE 'I'. WOOD. 

